Acute toxicity of isopropyl methylphosphonic acid, a breakdown product of sarin, to eggs and fry of golden shiner and channel catfish.

Several countries, including the United States, have agreed to destroy stockpiled chemical warfare agents in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention Treaty of 1993. Sarin is one of many chemical warfare agents (CWA) designated for destruction. In the event of an accident during incineration, sarin or its decomposition products have the potential to be expelled into the environment.

HIV-associated lymphoma: promising new results, but with toxicity.

Treatment of HIV-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma with rituximab plus infusional cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide resulted in high complete remission and 2-year failure free and overall survival rates but a high rate of infection.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligand rosiglitazone delays the onset of inflammatory bowel disease in mice with interleukin 10 deficiency.

Aims: To test whether the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligand rosiglitazone (Ro) has therapeutic activity in the IL-10(-/-) mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and to identify the cellular targets and molecular mechanisms of Ro action.

Methods: The progression of spontaneous chronic colitis in IL-10(-/-) mice was compared in 5-week-old mice fed a standard diet with or without Ro for 12 weeks. The possible therapeutic effect of Ro was also tested over a 6-week interval in older IL-10(-/-) mice with established IBD.

Detection of airborne Stachybotrys chartarum macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins on particulates smaller than conidia.

Highly respirable particles (diameter, <1 microm) constitute the majority of particulate matter found in indoor air. It is hypothesized that these particles serve as carriers for toxic compounds, specifically the compounds produced by molds in water-damaged buildings. The presence of airborne Stachybotrys chartarum trichothecene mycotoxins on particles smaller than conidia (e.

Phase II clinical experience with the novel proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.

Purpose: To determine the antitumor activity of the novel proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in patients with indolent and mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL).

Patients And Methods: Patients with indolent and MCL were eligible. Bortezomib was given at a dose of 1.

Promising activity of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (VELCADE) in the treatment of indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma: ASH poster session 517-II.

Dr. O'Connor delivered the following material as a poster at the 2003 American Society of Hematology meeting highlighting results from his work with bortezomib in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's and mantle cell lymphoma. A full publication of his results will appear later this year.

Protein translation inhibition by Stachybotrys chartarum conidia with and without the mycotoxin containing polysaccharide matrix.

Recent studies have correlated the presence of Stachybotrys chartarum in structures with SBS. S. chartarum produces mycotoxins that are thought to produce some of the symptoms reported in sick-building syndrome (SBS).

The NHL-15 protocol for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: a sequential dose-dense, dose-intense regimen of doxorubicin, vincristine and high-dose cyclophosphamide.

Background: The NHL-15 protocol is a novel, dose-intense, dose-dense, sequential chemotherapy program developed to improve outcome in advanced, aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Patients And Methods: The phase II NHL-15 protocol comprised: (i) induction [doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2) i.v.

Results of a prospective randomized clinical trial of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) followed by radiation therapy (RT) versus ABVD alone for stages I, II, and IIIA nonbulky Hodgkin disease.

To determine whether combined modality therapy (CMT) is superior to chemotherapy (CT) alone, 152 untreated Hodgkin disease patients with clinical stages (CSs) IA, IB, IIA, IIB, and IIIA without bulk disease were prospectively randomized to 6 cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD) alone or 6 cycles of ABVD followed by radiation therapy (RT) (3600 cGy: involved field for 11 patients, modified extended field for the rest). Of 76 patients randomized to receive RT, 65 actually received it, and 11 did not (4 progressed, 1 had bleomycin toxicity, 6 refused). For ABVD + RT, the complete remission (CR) percentage was 94% and no major response, 6%.

Studies on the role of fungi in Sick Building Syndrome.

Sick Building Syndrome is a term used to describe symptoms in humans which result from problems with indoor air quality. Common complaints include dyspnea, flu-like symptoms, watering eyes, and allergic rhinitis. Although there is likely no single cause for Sick Building Syndrome, fungal contamination in buildings has increasingly been associated with this spectrum of symptoms.

An investigation into techniques for cleaning mold-contaminated home contents.

This study examined the efficacy of the following treatments to reduce selected fungal spore and mycotoxin levels on materials commonly found in home contents: (1) gamma irradiation at a 10-13 kiloGray exposure, (2) a detergent/bleach wash, and (3) a steam cleaning technique. A minimum of six replicates were performed per treatment. Paper, cloth, wood, and carpet were inoculated with either fungal spores (Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, or Chaetomium globosum) at 240,000 spores/2.

Culturability and toxicity of sick building syndrome-related fungi over time.

Two experiments were conducted regarding the culturability and toxicity of fungi located on building materials over time and the efficacy of seven laboratory techniques in recovering culturable fungi from sample swabs. In the first experiment, eight sections of drywall were inoculated with Stachybotrys chartarum and stored at 25 +/- 5 degrees Celsius and 20-60% relative humidity (RH) for up to two years. Another eight sections of ceiling tile were stored at 100% RH for 1 year.

charge storage behavior of nanowire transistors functionalized with bis(terpyridine)-Fe(II) molecules: dependence on molecular structure.

We studied the influence of three bis(terpyridine)-Fe(II) molecules-(X-tpy)2FeCl2 (X = H (1), SAc (2), and 4-phenyl-SAc (3)-on charge storage of a nanowire transistor. The molecules were assembled on the surface of an indium oxide nanowire that forms the conduction channel of the transistor. We found that the charge storage characteristics of such a device strongly depends on the structure of the terpyridine ligand: both retention time (tau) and threshold voltage shift (DeltaVth) increased in the order of 1 < 2 < 3, with tau of 200 s, 12 h, and 287 h and DeltaVth at 4.

Adverse prognostic significance of CD20 positive Reed-Sternberg cells in classical Hodgkin's disease.

The prognostic significance of CD20 positive classical Hodgkin's disease (cHD) is uncertain. All cHD cases referred to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) were retrospectively identified (5/92-11/00); the samples were immunostained, and clinical data ascertained. Cases were re-reviewed without knowledge of clinical outcome.

Allergic inflammation induced by a Penicillium chrysogenum conidia-associated allergen extract in a murine model.

Background: Recent evidence has shown that viable conidia from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum induce allergic effects in mice. The present study was conducted to determine the specific allergic dose response of C57BL/6 mice to the protease extract, Pen ch, isolated from viable P. chrysogenum conidia.

Acupuncture for postchemotherapy fatigue: a phase II study.

Purpose: To determine whether improvement in postchemotherapy fatigue following acupuncture treatment is substantial enough to warrant a controlled trial.

Patients And Methods: We accrued patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center who had completed cytotoxic chemotherapy but experienced persisting fatigue. Patients with severe anemia, clinical depression, or Karnofsky performance status score less than 70 were excluded.

Children symptoms before and after knowing about an indoor fungal contamination.

To describe children symptoms before and after an indoor fungal problem was publicized. Children attending one of two elementary schools (one with indoor fungal problems and one without) were included in this study. The study included an analysis of symptoms reported by the nurses before and after the indoor fungal problem was publicized and a questionnaire responded to by the parents.

Electronic transport in a controllably grown carbon nanotube-silicon heterojunction array.

A uniform array of a new type of heterojunction formed between carbon nanotubes and silicon is studied. The heterojunction array was controllably grown with parallel and uniform nanotubes vertically aligned to the silicon substrate using a self-organized nanopore array template. The pronounced rectifying characteristics of the heterojunction were measured with an on/off ratio as high as 10(5) at 4 V.

Rituximab and ICE as second-line therapy before autologous stem cell transplantation for relapsed or primary refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Patients with relapsed or primary refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who achieve complete response (CR) before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) generally have better outcomes than those who achieve only partial response (PR). We investigated whether adding rituximab to the ifosfamide-carboplatin-etoposide (ICE) chemotherapy regimen (RICE) could increase the CR rate of patients with DLBCL under consideration for ASCT. Thirty-six eligible patients were treated with RICE, and 34 received all 3 planned cycles.

Comparison of the type and number of microorganisms and concentration of endotoxin in the air of feedyards in the Southern High Plains.

Objectives: To determine the bacterial, fungal, and endotoxin concentrations in aerosolized ambient air during the winter and summer in feedyards located in the Southern High Plains, identify aerosolized microbial pathogens, and determine the size of microbial and dust components.

Sample Population: Aerosol samples were obtained from 7 feedyards.

Procedure: Aerosol samples were collected upwind, on-site, and downwind from each feedyard at a point 1 m above the ground by use of biological 2- and 6-stage cascade impactors.

Diversity of Salmonella serovars in feedyard and nonfeedyard playas of the Southern High Plains in the summer and winter.

Objective: To compare Salmonella isolates cultured from feedyard and nonfeedyard (control) playas (ie, temporary shallow lakes) of the Southern High Plains.

Sample Population: Water and muck (sediment) samples were obtained from 7 feedyard playas and 3 nonfeedyard playas in the winter and summer.

Procedure: Each water and muck sample was enriched with sulfur-brilliant-green broth and incubated in a shaker at 37 degrees C for 24 hours.

Epoetin alfa therapy for patients with hematologic malignancies and mild anemia.

Anemia has been reported in approximately 40%-70% of patients with hematologic malignancies, with severity depending on the type and stage of disease and whether the patient has received myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Growing evidence supports the role of epoetin alfa in correcting anemia and improving quality of life (QOL) in patients with hematologic malignancies. Clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of epoetin alfa in patients with cancer-related anemia (including patients with hematologic malignancies) and hemoglobin levels < or =10 g/dL.